Drone Water Sampling and Hydrology in India
Drones now measure river level and flow and collect water samples far from the bank, where a boat or a fixed station cannot reach. HobiTech supplies SPH Engineering's hydrology systems in India: a radar water-level sensor, a surface-velocity radar and a remote water sampler, with SkyHub and UgCS.
What drone hydrology is used for
In India, the buyers are water resources and irrigation departments, flood forecasting teams, hydropower operators, pollution control and environmental labs, and research institutes.
River level and flood warning
Measure water-surface level on demand, between fixed gauge stations.
Flow and discharge
Measure surface flow velocity across a river or irrigation channel.
Water quality sampling
Collect samples for the lab from the middle of a lake or a contaminated pond.
Real projects
Researchers combined these sensors to measure a whole river from the air. Drone hydrometry on a remote tropical river · Measuring river level, depth and flow from the air.
The systems
Each one works with the SkyHub onboard computer and UgCS, so the readings are logged with position as the drone flies.
A radar level sensor built to fly on a drone, for water-surface elevation on demand.
- W-band 77–81 GHz radar, ±2 mm accuracy
- 0.5 mm resolution, up to 40 m range
- 0.6 kg, IP68
A Doppler radar that measures how fast the water surface moves, for discharge in rivers and channels.
- K-band 24.125 GHz Doppler radar
- Error under 1% of the measured value
- Up to 15 m range, IP68
A drone system that collects water samples far from the shore, fully automatically.
- Ruttner sampler: 1 L on a DJI M300 RTK, up to 5 L on heavy-lift drones
- Sampling depth set by the drone's descent
- Practical range a few hundred metres
Side by side
| System | Measures | Key spec | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geolux LX-80-AB | Water level | ±2 mm accuracy, 0.5 mm resolution | Up to 40 m |
| Geolux RSS-2-AB | Surface flow velocity | Error under 1% of the value | Up to 15 m |
| Remote water sampler | Water samples | 1 L (M300 RTK) to 5 L (heavy-lift) | A few hundred metres in practice |
What a complete system includes
We quote the whole configuration so it works on day one.
1. The sensor or sampler
One or more of the systems above, for level, flow or samples.
2. A mount for your drone
The universal mount for heavy payloads carries Geolux kits and the 1 L sampler on a DJI M350/M300 RTK; versions exist for the DJI M400 and Inspired Flight IF1200.
3. SkyHub
The SkyHub onboard computer logs readings with position and runs the sampler automatically.
4. An altimeter
A radar altimeter controls the descent to the sampling height and holds a steady height over water.
5. UgCS flight planning
Plan and fly measurement and sampling missions with UgCS.
Which one do you need
The Geolux LX-80-AB, for spot water-level readings along a river or across a reservoir.
The Geolux RSS-2-AB for surface velocity, often flown with the LX-80-AB for level.
The remote water sampler, for samples from points a boat cannot reach or should not enter.
Tell us the water body and what you need to measure. We will suggest a configuration.
Buying drone hydrology systems in India
HobiTech is an Official Partner of SPH Engineering in India.
One quote for the whole system
Sensor or sampler, mount, SkyHub, altimeter and UgCS quoted together in rupees.
Training
SPH Engineering courses for UgCS and SkyHub. See training and certification.
Support from Bengaluru
First-line questions come to us, and go to SPH Engineering only when they need to.
Depth as well
Add an echo sounder for river and reservoir depth. Drone bathymetry in India · all SPH systems.
Get a hydrology quote
Name, mobile and what you need to measure or sample. A specialist calls you back with the right system for your drone.
Drone water sampling and hydrology FAQs
Where can I buy a drone water sampler in India?
HobiTech supplies SPH Engineering's remote water sampling system in India, with the Geolux LX-80-AB water-level and RSS-2-AB surface-velocity kits, SkyHub and UgCS. Send us your survey details and we will quote the full configuration.
How much water can the drone sample take?
The Ruttner sampler takes 1 L on a DJI M300 RTK, or up to 5 L on heavy-lift drones.
How far from the bank can it sample?
SPH Engineering gives a practical distance of a few hundred metres, with a technical limit of a few kilometres from the take-off point.
How accurate is the drone water-level reading?
The Geolux LX-80-AB is listed at ±2 mm accuracy with 0.5 mm resolution, up to 40 m above the water.
What do I need to fly it legally in India?
The rules apply to the drone, not the sensor: it needs a UIN on Digital Sky, and commercial flights need a remote pilot certificate. Check the site's airspace zone on the Digital Sky map before each job.
What does a drone hydrology system cost?
Every system is quoted per configuration, because the sensor, mount, software and training differ by job. Ask for the current lead time with your quote.
Tell us what you need to measure
Share the water body, what you need to measure or sample and the drone you fly. We will quote the full system in rupees.
Product and software details on this page use data from SPH Engineering, the manufacturer.